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Hamlet Laertes And Fortinbras In Hamlet

948 Words4 Pages

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the theme of revenge appears repeatedly allowing us to explore its connection with human nature in its entirety. Revenge is the key in provoking the savage capabilities of a mind as reason is often disregarded, through the anger and hate that leads one’s conscience to act blindly. More precise to Hamlet is the theme of revenge and its connection with one’s loyalty towards his father. This is seen clearly in the play through the characters of Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras. These three characters follow a similar journey, but have contrasting qualities, which in turn show many ways how the conflict can be acted upon. Laertes and Fortinbras are both foils to Hamlet having the loss of a father and the strong desire for …show more content…

Through learning about Fortinbras’ army going to Poland to fight for worthless territory, Hamlet is impressed by this determination for honour, in contrast to his own procrastination of seeking revenge for his father, saying “Witness this army of such mass and charge / Led by a delicate and tender prince, / Whose spirit with divine ambition puffed / Makes mouths at the invisible event, / Exposing what is mortal and unsure / To all that fortune, death, and danger dare, / Even for an eggshell” (4.4.47-53). Consequentially, this is also the reason he easily named Fortinbras to the throne upon his imminent death, as Hamlet knows the kingdom can use a person with as much ambition as him to lead them into greatness. Hamlet’s envy towards Laertes is found through their competing love for Ophelia. “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers / Could not with all their quantity of love / Make up my sum” (5.1.247-249). Hamlet is seen here comparing his love for her forty thousand times stronger than that of Laertes. Though an exaggeration, it shows the profound love Hamlet truly had for her, however the tragic chain of events has caused them to grow apart. Hamlet’s envy stems from the lack of time he had with Ophelia as he does not know her as well as Laertes, growing up together since birth. It is also worth noting that Hamlet will never know the love between siblings as he is an only

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168 Words | 1 Pages

Each character has an impulse for revenge, but each one reacts in a different manner. Laertes reacts immediately and irrationally. Hamlet procrastinates, muddles through and ponders his fate and does not act until the entire play is over. Fortinbras is in the middle of these two. When his father is killed by King Hamlet, Fortinbras does not act rashly nor does he hesitate and delay his actions.

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The Awakening Of Hamlet and Laertes Comparing Laertes and Hamlet. Figuring out how they are alike and dislike in many ways, most of the play they are well alike. After Hamlet kills Polonius, Laertes down the road faces the same problems as Hamlet; a murdered father. In the beginning Laertes and Hamlet didn’t have the same similarities, but since both of there fathers were murdered they both have something in common. While Hamlet, is messing around and playing with the murderer as if he was an animal, Laertes takes immediate action.

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In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras are two characters that serve as foils for Hamlet. They are minor characters to Hamlet’s main, but are important to understanding Hamlet’s character in the play. Laertes and Fortinbras expose Hamlet’s true nature. Laertes, Fortinbras, and Hamlet are all in similar situations. They have all lost their fathers to murder and want some kind of revenge.

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This is evidence of tension between Laertes and Hamlet and foreshadows the later confrontation between them. On the contrary, Hamlet feels romantic love for Ophelia. His love is supposedly so passionate that “Forty thousand brothers/ Could not with all their quantity of love” (V, i, 275-276) care for her as much as he does. Both Laertes and Hamlet carry their love to Ophelia’s grave. While at the grave, Laertes shows his brotherly love for Ophelia once more when he stands inside her grave and exclaims “Hold off the earth awhile,/

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1029 Words | 5 Pages

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1305 Words | 6 Pages

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